Can I stop my blood thinner?

[Ecuadorlover]

I was told I had A.fib last year after getting covid for the 2nd time. I was put on the blood thinner, Lixiana 60 mg daily. I got covid again for the 3rd time. I have had chest tightness, SOB and increased heart rate since. I am already on Nattokinase 2 capsules twice daily and want to start Serrapeptase for the inflammation, etc, caused by covid. They say not to take these two supplements while on blood thinners. I would like to stop Lixiana as it is not helping my long covid symptoms. My calcium score on a virtual angiogram was 0% x 4. Any suggestions? My INR is 1.47

[Paulbounce]

Hi Ecuadorlover.

Forum members are not medically qualified. We can only tell you of our own experiences. Perhaps someone on the forum has been through the same thing and can give you their own personal take on it. I can't.

I think you need to speak to a medic about this for the best advice. A call to your local pharmacy might be an idea but I think you should check with a doctor. It's not a good idea to stop an anticoagulant (blood thinner) without medical advice.

Happy Friday.

Paul

[Ecuadorlover in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks. I'll start with the pharmacy and I have a cardiology consult. I started serrapeptase along with the lixiana and the elephant on my chest is pretty much gone! However I'm on too many blood thinners and need to get professsional advice. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Do not make any decisions without careful discussion with your cardiologist. You were put on anticoagulation for a reason.

[BenHall1]

Lixiana is also known as Edoxaban. It is an anticoagulant, therefore, it is hardly likely to impact on any CoVid symptoms. So far I've never had any CoVid symptoms or indeed CoVid either. I have taken Edoxaban and Warfarin as anticoagulants ... quite successfully for years. Suggest you discuss this with your GP or some other qualified healthcare professional.

With the benefit of reading many posts on this forum I wouldn't dream of stopping Edoxaban ... but its your call, you do what you feel you need to.

[Ecuadorlover in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks Ben. The serrapeptase is definitely helping my long covid but I'm now on too many blood thinners so I'll discuss with my cardiologist.

[Espeegee in reply to BenHall1]

Could I ask why you take blood thinners? Do you have Afib or other heart issues?

[BenHall1 in reply to Espeegee]

Hiya Espeegee,

Sure ....... I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF with a bias to being asymptomatic aged 65 in January 2010 ( 15 years coming up ). The worst of all odds !! In other words I could be experiencing an AF event and not even know it ......... no symptoms, nothing. Thus my Cardiac Consultant at the time determined I should go on anticoagulant for life and also long term Bisoprolol. These were additions to my existing party bag of drugs which already comprised, Simvastatin, Ramipril and Felodopine.

In those far off days (2010) Warfarin was just about the ONLY anticoagulant available to the community. These 4 new ones, like Edoxaban, were still very much in the research and development stages. I have tried Edoxaban a year or so ago but for my trouble I was cursed with the most horrendous, graphic and vile nightmares resulting in sleepness nights and I put the whole product in the bin and went back to Warfarin.

My AF is still highly controlled however every 4 or 5 years an event kicks off for a short while. I might add, due to constant coughing my GP has approved my dropping Ramipril, however in doing so - it has had very little impact on my BP and HR, which is running at around 132/78 with HR 70. Good enough.

John

[Espeegee in reply to BenHall1]

Gosh! My husband drove me mad with his coughing, every night as he got into bed he started. After a few months I told him he needed to do something. Went to the GP who said oh that's probably the BP meds and changed it, second one was as bad and then he said you probably don't need it and stopped it. Never a problem with the cough or the BP since, makes you wonder. Having AF with no symptoms, that's unusual, at least you didn't have to worry about it! Statins, well, I just wouldn't, My mum was put on Warfarin following a mini stroke. When she had a second stroke just over a year later it was catastrophic, I very much suspect the warfarin was to blame, she never recovered. I've had paroxysmal AF for years, I don't take anything. I once read that it's not likely to kill you, good enough for me lol. It's unpleasant but no more than that.

[BenHall1 in reply to Espeegee]

Well the latest update is that the coughing hasn't stopped that much, even so, I still plan to stay off the Ramipril. My GP has now decided to have me checked out for lung issues and I have to have Lung Function tests ( a 5 hour round trip in the car to Plymouth and return ) a Spirometry with Reversibility Test -they are trying to identify Asthma or COPD. Oh well, so long as the weather is good it'll be a nice day out. 😊

[Cavalierrubie]

l was told l would be on an anticoagulant for life because of my diagnosis of AF and the risk of having a stroke. AF causes the blood to pool and form into clots. I wouldn’t advise stopping your anticoagulant if you have been diagnosed with AF., because it doesn’t go away and can only be treated not cured. Anticoagulant shouldn’t have any effect on Covid symptoms.

[opal11uk]

No drug should be stopped without seeking medical advice, if you have been prescribed then there is a good reason. I did not take anticoagulants when first diagnosed and subsequently had a stroke, this would not happened had I been taking an anticoagulant , so seek medical advice.

[Omniscient1]

I would be thinking that the Lixiana has been prescribed by a medic who is aware of your situation. Did they know you were already taking natto? By taking it you are potentially adding some unmeasurable level of anti coagulation to the measured dosage you're getting from the Lixiana.Id drop the natto and check the Serrapeptase with a pharmacist.

[Omniscient1 in reply to Omniscient1]

I would not in any circumstances stop the prescribed meds without a Drs advice.

[Sixtychick]

I had an ablation last year, but have been told that I have to stay on the anti- coagulant, Edoxaban, for life. I wouldn’t stop it, unless advised to by a Doctor.

[Budken]

You should not be asking here, you should be asking your Doctor, or at least your Pharmacist.

[Ecuadorlover in reply to Budken]

Thanks. Indeed I'm just seeking experiences and will discuss this with a pharmacist and my cardiologist.

[RoyMacDonald]

With any arrhythmia you need to be on an anticoagulant or you are at risk of a stroke. I had a major stroke being completely paralysed down my right side because I did not take my prescribed anticoagulant. I have the Covid jabs regularly without any side effects as the anticoagulant can have no effect on Covid of any type.

All the best.

Roy

[Wilkie1]

Hi I think the wise counsel given here is to take medical advice. Whilst some people may say that everyone who has atrial fibrillation should be on an anticoagulant that's not the guideline advice. There is a small risk of major bleeding/hemorrhagic stroke with anticoagulant use therefore that needs to be weighed against the risk of stroke associated with your atrial fibrillation. That requires an individualised assessment of risk using a CHA2DS2-VASc screen. My understanding of that is for men if your score is 0 then the risk from the anticoagulant medication is greater than the risk from the atrial fibrillation and vise- versa for scores of 2 and above.

[Ecuadorlover in reply to Wilkie1]

Thanks. I even question, Do I really have A.Fib or was it because of the severe covid inflammation in my lungs causing an increased heart rate....

[Buzby62 in reply to Ecuadorlover]

Hi, you may find it helpful to read the AF Fact File to understand the different types of AF (Persistent or Paroxysmal).

Link to patient resources heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

My paroxysmal episodes were mildly symptomatic usually but covid was always a trigger for a symptomatic episode prior to having an ablation. I’ve had covid since and no AF with it.

There’s lots to learn and knowledge is the key so my advice is to read as much as you can from the above link and maybe learn how to check your pulse for AF to know if you are in it or not.

Only your medics can stop anticoagulant so don’t make that decision.

Best wishes

[Ecuadorlover]

Thanks I was told I had a fib in emergency, but I was also experiencing a lot of long covid issues. I’ll ask my cardiologist about it